By Philip Tengzu, GNA
Tumu (UW/R), Nov. 10, GNA – The Upper West Region is expected to benefit from an ultra-modern Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) regional office complex next year, as part of a nationwide programme to construct modern regional offices for the Service.
Some of the projects are already at various stages of completion in regions including the Northern and Savannah Regions, while construction in other regions is expected to begin next year.
Mr Samuel Amadu Basintale, Comptroller-General of Immigration (CGI), announced this during an interaction with officers of the GIS at the Tumu Sector Command in the Sissala East Municipality.
His visit to the Upper West Region followed an explosion at Hamile in the Lambussie District on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, which claimed the lives of two civilians and an immigration officer, while another immigration officer sustained injuries.
He said the proposed regional office in Wa would be a five-storey complex equipped with modern office facilities and furnishings to provide a conducive working environment for personnel.
“It’s a complete project coming with furnishing. We are not going to build and now say we are looking for money to furnish it,” he said.
The Comptroller-General said he had inspected the proposed project site and directed the relevant authorities to finalise the documentation required to secure the land.
Mr Basintale said management was also considering constructing barracks and improving accommodation facilities for personnel to enhance their security and enable them to discharge their duties effectively.
He said management was working to address outstanding rent allowances and assured officers that the payments would be made by the end of November.
He added that arrangements had been completed to mechanise the payment of rent allowances, which would henceforth be paid together with officers’ monthly salaries.
On promotions, the Comptroller-General maintained that all eligible junior officers due for promotion had been promoted, while promotions for other officers were based on available vacancies within their respective ranks.
At a meeting with the Sissala East Municipal Security Council (MUSEC), Mr Basintale said the Service would deploy additional personnel and logistics to strengthen surveillance and border management.
He said newly trained officers expected to pass out in January would help increase the Service’s personnel strength.
He added that patrol vehicles and motorbikes were expected to be provided to support operations, particularly within the Tumu Sector Command.
Mr Basintale further disclosed that the Service was mapping out strategic locations within the Command for the establishment of permanent duty posts to enable officers to monitor activities along the border effectively.
He commended the security agencies in the municipality for their cooperation and urged them to sustain the collaboration to safeguard the municipality and the country.
Mr Bening Adamu Yakubu, Sissala East Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), identified the numerous unapproved routes along the border as one of the major security challenges confronting the municipality.
He appealed for additional means of transport, particularly motorbikes, explaining that some of the routes were inaccessible to vehicles, making it difficult for security personnel to conduct effective patrols.
GNA
Edited Audrey Dekalu
Reporter: Philip Tengzu, GNA
[email protected]